Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Yogyakarta: With just two days to go before the AFC Futsal Club Championship kicks off in Yogyakarta, the-AFC.com concludes its previews with a look at the four teams in Group D.
Mes Sungun Varzaghan (IRN)
Appearance: Debutants
Mes Sungun Varzaghan from Islamic Republic of Iran pipped powerhouses Tasisat Daryaei and Giti Pasand Isfahan for a spot in the 2018 AFC Futsal Club Championship.
The 2017–18 Iranian Futsal Super League champions, who have Hossein Tayyebi in their ranks, will be aiming to continue IR Iran’s proud record in the Championship.
Tayyebi stole the show in Chinese Taipei in February when he emerged top scorer with 14 goals as IR Iran cruised to their 12th AFC Futsal Championship title.
Mes Sungun Varzaghan also have several attacking options in Moslem Rostamiha and Mohammad Hossein Derakhshani.
Iranian clubs have a habit of making the last four since 2010 and have produced three different champions - Fooland Mahan (2010), Giti Pasand Isfahan (2012) and Tasisat Daryaei (2015).
The 2016 edition was the only time an Iranian club failed to reach the last four when Nagoya Oceans edged Tasisat Daryaei 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Yogyakarta: With the AFC Futsal Club Championship Yogyakarta 2018 just three days away. the-AFC.com previews the four teams in Group C.
Chonburi Bluewave (THA)
Appearances: 8
Best finish: Champions - 2013, 2017
Appearing in their eighth consecutive AFC Futsal Club Championship, Chonburi Bluewave of Thailand are one of the most consistent futsal clubs in the continent.
The title holders and two-time champions will be out to make tournament history by becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles.
Chonburi won their first title in 2013 but fell short against Nagoya Oceans in the final the following year in Chengdu. In 2016 they ended their campaign in third place behind Nafit Al Wasat and eventual winners Nagoya Oceans.
They returned to the pinnacle of club futsal last year by overcoming Islamic Republic of Iran’s Giti Pasand Isfahan 3-2 in the final.
Inspired by Thai ace Suphawut Thueanklang and Jirawat Sornwichian, who was instrumental in the Shark’s march to the 2017 final in Ho Chi Minh CIty, Chonburi Bluewave are among the early favourites.
Sornwichian was the tournament top scorer last year, scoring an impressive nine goals. The defender amassed seven goals to clinch the top-scorer award in 2016, and will be one to watch.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Yogyakarta: Futsal fever is set to heat up as the top 16 teams get set for the AFC Futsal Club Championship 2018 in Yogyakarta on August 1-12. the-AFC.com previews the four teams in Group B.
Thai Son Nam FC (VIE)
Previous Appearances: 4
Best finish: Third - 2015, 2017
Thai Son Nam will be featuring in their fifth continental club competition following commendable outings in 2015 and 2017, finishing third on both occasions.
An intimidating fact for their Group B opponents is that nine players from the Vietnam national team who featured in the 2018 AFC Futsal Championship Chinese Taipei hail from Thai Son Nam FC.
The most decorated club in Vietnam futsal history, with five Vietnam Futsal League titles, Thai Son Nam FC will be a force to be reckoned with.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Yogyakarta: For the first time in the tournament’s nine-year history, 16 teams will feature in the AFC Futsal Club Championship 2018 in Yogyakarta on August 1-12. the-AFC.com previews the four teams in Group A.
Vamos FC (IDN)
Previous Appearance: 1
Best finish: group stage
Vamos FC created history in Vietnam last year as the first Indonesian side to feature in an AFC Futsal Club Championship.
The 2018 hosts bowed out of the tournament after finishing third in their group, registering a win and two losses, behind Al Rayyan and Naft Al-Wasat.
The Indonesians secured back-to-back Pro Futsal League (PFL) Championship titles, equalling IPC Pelindo II who achieved the feat in 2011-12 and Electric PLN (2008-09).
They will be without Iranian import and former Giti Pasand player Ali Abedin, who left the club in June.
Andri Kustiawan, who was the PFL top scorer in 2018 with 27 goals, will spearhead Vamos FC’s attack alongside Syahidansyah Lubis and Alfajri Zikri.